San Miguel Arcangel Mission close to San Luis Obispo, California Photo Visit by Ruth Paget
Mission San Miguel Arcangel was founded in 1797.
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Good Example of stucco architecture. Plaster covers brick in stucco work and is painted white. The dark color of brick absorbs heat. Stucco is applied for white paint, which reflects heat and keeps buildings cool. The Spanish used this technique in southern Andalusia, Spain and brought it to their missions in California 
The coil on top of the wall corner may refer to a beehive. Monasteries still make honey to be self-sufficient in foodand sell the excess to earn money for monastery upkeep.
This gate leads into the cactus garden. In an emergency, cactus plants can be used for water and cactus leaves can be cut up and fried or put into omelets as food. The alcoves originally held statues of saints and Christ.
Agave plant outside the mission garden. Tequila is made from agave plants. Monasteries can cook with tequila, drink it, and sell it for profit and use the profits to maintain the monastery.
Olive tree n the mission garden. The priests and nuns could press their own olive oil for use in religious rites and for cooking. This area is surrounded by vineyards and olive trees. San Miguel Arcangel is located on a valley floor between the inter-coastal mountain range about 12 miles outside San Luis Obispo.
Cactus garden at San Miguel Arcangel with baby agave plants. Photo by Laurent Paget
For tours and visiting hours look up the mission’s website.
Text and photos by Ruth Paget, author Eating Soup with Chopsticks and Marrying France
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